No More Learning

You know I should ruin your life, and you'd
ruin mine, as things are now. You remember what you said when you were
so angry that day in the Park? One of us has to be broken. Can't you
wait till that day comes? "

"No, love. I want you unbroken--all to myself. "

Maisie shook her head. "My poor Dick, what can I say! "

"Don't say anything. Give me a kiss. Only one kiss, Maisie. I'll swear
I won't take any more. You might as well, and then I can be sure you're
grateful. "

Maisie put her cheek forward, and Dick took his reward in the darkness.

It was only one kiss, but, since there was no time-limit specified, it
was a long one.
Maisie wrenched herself free angrily, and Dick stood
abashed and tingling from head to toe.

"Goodbye, darling. I didn't mean to scare you. I'm sorry. Only--keep
well and do good work,--specially the Melancolia. I'm going to do
one, too. Remember me to Kami, and be careful what you drink. Country
drinking-water is bad everywhere, but it's worse in France. Write to
me if you want anything, and good-bye. Say good-bye to the
whatever-you-call-um girl, and--can't I have another kiss? No. You're
quite right. Goodbye. "

A shout told him that it was not seemly to charge of the mail-bag
incline. He reached the pier as the steamer began to move off, and he
followed her with his heart.

"And there's nothing--nothing in the wide world--to keep us apart except
her obstinacy.